The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) and Development Alternatives, Inc. (DAI) have finalized a settlement this week to resolve claims pending before the Civilian Board of Contract Appeals under a cost-reimbursement contract. The settlement, agreed in principle in November, calls for payment by USAID for unanticipated claims under the cost-reimbursement contract, including claims related to Mr. Alan Gross. The settlement avoids the cost, delay and risks of further proceedings, and does not constitute an admission of liability by either party.

“We are pleased with the recent enactment of the Paul Simon Water for the World Act of 2014, which will help U.S. and international efforts to provide clean water and sanitation services to 2.5 billion people who do not have access to basic sanitation and 750 million who lack access to clean water. We applaud the bipartisan leadership of Representatives Blumenauer (D-OR) and Poe (R-TX), along with Senators Durbin (D-IL) and Corker (R-TN), all long-time advocates of improving access for the world’s poor to clean water and sanitation services.

The U.S. Agency for International Development’s Office of American Schools and Hospitals Abroad (ASHA) announced today 34 new grants to U.S. organizations to support construction projects and the purchase of equipment for overseas institutions. The projects, spanning 24 countries, are funded through a competitive annual grant and directly support schools, libraries and medical centers outside the United States that share universal values, such as empowering women and inclusive societies, as well as promoting innovation and entrepreneurship, while advancing best practices in healthcare and education. Throughout its history ASHA’s impact has covered the globe, working in nearly 80 countries with more than 270 institutions.

In an effort to combat malnutrition, the United States contributed an additional $34 million to the World Food Program (WFP), which will provide food rations for the next four months to 3.2 million Pakistanis, including 1.63 million Temporary Displaced Persons (TDPs) from the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA).

I want to thank President Obama for the honor of serving our country these past five years as Administrator of the U.S. Agency for International Development. Thanks to his leadership and the extraordinary commitment of our nation’s development experts, America is the unquestioned leader in eliminating the scourges of extreme poverty, hunger, and child death worldwide. Recently, I informed President Obama and Secretary Kerry that I will step down as Administrator in mid-February 2015.

MIREBALAIS, Haiti - U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) Administrator Rajiv Shah visited the Mirebalais Hospital today and announced USAID is finalizing a $2 million partnership with the Partners in Health (PIH) local affiliate Zanmi Lasante.

The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) announced today the first nominees for awards in the Fighting Ebola: a Grand Challenge for Development. Following a rigorous selection process, these innovators have been identified for the solutions they presented to increase the protection and comfort of healthcare workers battling Ebola.

Today, the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Janssen Therapeutics, Division of Janssen Products, LP (Janssen), one of the Janssen Pharmaceutical Companies of Johnson & Johnson that will accelerate progress in the fight against antibiotic-resistant bacteria, specifically multi drug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB).

Yesterday the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and the Aga Khan Foundation hosted an event on Global Trends in Civil Society Resilience. For nearly 30 years, USAID's work in the area of human rights and democratic governance has aimed to support peaceful, prosperous and inclusive societies that benefit from an informed and engaged citizenry. In newer and established democracies, as well as in repressive societies, USAID's work helps to strengthen civil society. The event highlighted the publication of the Civil Society Organization Sustainability Index (CSOSI). First developed by USAID in 1997, the CSOSI enables users to track developments and identify trends in the civil society sector over time while allowing for cross-country and cross-region comparison.

U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) Administrator Rajiv Shah will visit Haiti December 14 - 15. While in Haiti, Shah will visit USAID projects prior to the five-year anniversary of the January 2010 earthquake that devastated much of the country.

Today, U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) Administrator Rajiv Shah will be recognized for his leadership in foreign policy at the U.S. Global Leadership Coalition (USGLC) 2014 Tribute Dinner. Foreign policy and international development leaders from the U.S. Government, non-governmental organizations, and the private sector join USGLC's tribute to Administrator Shah's accomplishments

The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) Assistant Administrator for the Bureau for Global Health Dr. Ariel Pablos-Mendez is participating in high-level Ebola meetings in Geneva and Brussels December 10-12.

The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) and global telecommunications operator Orange announced a new alliance to develop innovations in mobile health (mHealth) at the Global mHealth Forum in Washington, D.C. These mHealth innovations will help treat and care for individuals in developing countries across Africa.

Today, the United States Agency for International Development joins the international community in supporting citizens, governments and organizations from across the globe in their struggle to root out corruption. We know that corruption destroys the lives of millions of people around the world and can be a cause of great national strife and tragedy. We have seen corruption undermine democracy and the rule of law, lead to human rights violations, distort markets, erode quality of life, and allow organized crime, terrorism and other threats to flourish.

The United States is tracking Typhoon Hagupit closely and understands that, if it remains on its current trajectory, it will likely make landfall along the eastern coast of the Philippines within the next 24 hours. The U.S. government, including the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), has staff in the region, as well as in Washington, D.C., who are in contact with the U.S. Embassy in Manila as well as the Government of the Philippines regarding the typhoon.

U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) Administrator Rajiv Shah will be recognized for his leadership in foreign policy at the U.S. Global Leadership Coalition (USGLC) 2014 Tribute Dinner. Administrator Shah will discuss how USAID is pioneering a new model of development, grounded in innovation, local leadership, and public-private partnership. He will also comment on how USAID’s signature initiatives--including the U.S. Global Development Lab, Feed the Future, and Power Africa--serve as investments in America’s economic and national security. Senators Kelly Ayotte and Tim Kaine will also receive recognition for their contribution to U.S. foreign policy at the event.

The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) Ebola Disaster Assistance Response Team (DART) airlifted more than 135 tons of medical equipment and supplies to Liberia as part of the Agency’s efforts to combat the Ebola outbreak in West Africa. The cargo contained 107,000 sets of personal protective equipment (PPE)—face masks, medical gloves, protective goggles, boots, and aprons—to be distributed to healthcare workers providing care to Ebola patients.

U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) Assistant to the Administrator for Africa Eric Postel will visit Zambia, Ghana, Kenya, and the Philippines December 3 - 17. His trip will focus on USAID's development assistance supporting the health, democracy and governance, and economic development sectors.

U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) Administrator Rajiv Shah will speak at "Rights in Action," a World AIDS Day event that will launch the Agency's LINKAGES project. LINKAGES, funded by the U.S. President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) through USAID and implemented by FHI 360, is the largest PEPFAR-supported project for key populations affected by HIV.

We are concerned by the World Food Program’s announcement today that it is suspending food assistance for more than 1.7 million Syrian refugees in neighboring countries due to a funding crisis. The United States has contributed more than $3 billion in humanitarian assistance for the conflict in Syria, which includes $935 million for food assistance to the World Food Program alone since the crisis began.